CARDIN, MCCAIN LAUD ADMINISTRATION’S HUMAN RIGHTS NOMINATION

Tom Malinowski nominated to be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (MD) and John McCain (AZ) released the following statement today on President Obama’s nomination of Human Rights Watch’s Tom Malinowski to be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor:

“We applaud President Obama’s nomination of Tom Malinowski to become the next Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Tom is widely respected for the indispensable role he has played in defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms, from ending torture to advancing democracy and the rule of law. Tom is the right choice to help lead America’s support of its values, and we hope the Senate will move forward to confirm him as soon as possible. We look forward to working with him as the newest member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission."

Senators Cardin and McCain are members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 57 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.